Monday, February 20, 2012

What Style Would YOU Choose?

If you could build your very own home from scratch what style of architecture would it be?

I have a friend that is getting the opportunity to build her own home from scratch. In the building process there are so many decisions to be made that it can be somewhat over whelming.

She has asked a group of friends for our opinions from time to time. In giving her our opinions I have realized that when a person actually gets to build a home from scratch reality sets in quickly.

We have to base our decisions on affordability, practicality, and availability. Basically a person really has to get down to brass tacks.

In the process of thinking along with her, I thought this would make some great material for blog post!

So that is what I am going to do! I am going to write a series of blog post with my idea of a realistic dream home for my own personal taste.

In writing these post I will have some dreams, but mostly realistic expectations for my life. To be perfectly honest at my age reality is HERE so why not live in it and enjoy it!!?

Since we are pretending to build a home I think we need to start with the architecture.

Whenever we go on day trips we always drive up, and down the streets looking at homes. By doing this for years I have found that I am always drawn to a particular style home.

That style is a California Craftsman Bungalow. These homes were built in the 1917-1925 era.

I personally love a bungalow, cottage, Craftsmen looking home. Nothing too big, or grand. A cozy family home suits me fine. These homes can be found in many older neighborhoods.

The definition of a Craftsmen bungalow is:

American Craftsman Bungalow

The American Craftsman bungalow typified the common styles of the American Arts and Crafts movement, with common features usually including: low-pitch roof lines on a gabled or hipped roof; deeply overhanging eaves; exposed rafters or decorative brackets under the eaves; and a front porch beneath an extension of the main roof.

Let me show you some bungalows so you will see what I am referring too…….

This is another rendition I found on line when looking up bungalows. This type was built more in the Northeastern states such as in the Cape Cod area.

Boy! would that be perfect, a bungalow in Cape Cod with an ocean view. Okay now that is in dream land! Back to reality!!

Now let’s look at some real live California Craftsman bungalows. I am going to critique them as we go along. This will allow me, and you to better understand what details are in a Craftsman bungalow, and which details we will prefer.

This home appears to have a second story. I am not sure I would want a second story, not a big fan of stairs. An attic space would be nice, but I would not want my bedrooms upstairs. I do like the architecture of this one also.

This home has enclosed the front porch. I do like the siding, but I find an open porch more appealing. I am really drawn to the color of this house. No surprise there, my existing home is a light yellow with white trim.

This home has the look I really love. The porch is nice and open even though it has a railing, I think it suits this home. I am noticing the porch on this house has a nice overhang detail, and bracket supports.

All and all this home is pretty perfect all it needs is a coat of soft yellow paint, and we are good to go. I also like the way this home sits on the lot having a nice side yard entrance.

Another nice big open porch. This has the double gabled roof line that I like. It looks as if they added a cute arched window with a little bit of ornamentation.

However, Craftsman homes are known for not having a lot of ornamentation. They were designed right after the Victorian era. During the Victorian era all the ornamentation you could put on a home was used in many of the homes.Due to all of the ornamentation the architects of the Craftsmen chose a simpler look.

The Craftsman home was more about form and function than ornamentation.

This sweet home is more of a New England styled Craftsman. You will notice the windows have a pretty curved mullion instead of the straight lines that are usually used.

I like the support brackets for the overhang on the upper gable and the overhang on the porch.

Most if not all of the Craftsman homes have a detached garage. I have always had an attached garage so I am not sure how I feel about that one. I will have to think about that for a bit.

By critiquing these homes I am finding elements I like and don’t like in each home.

Here is the list I have made from my observations:

Two gables

Open porch

Overhang support brackets.

Slimmer profile columns on porch.

Column supports brick or stone.

Open porch with no railing

Double hung windows with mullions in upper window.

Center front door with full glass paned door.

Large side yard for the driveway to garage.

Combination of shingle and plank siding

Garage door will be carriage style with exposed wrought iron hinges, and handles. Rectangle windows will run across the top of the door with divided panes.

I have actually learned a lot while writing this post. I have always been attracted to this style of home, but I have never really looked at all the details before.

Walking along side my friend is opening my own eyes to what I really like, and don’t like. I can have complete empathy for her. She is making some really important decisions, and they don’t always come to us easily.

It is one thing to say what you would like when there is no possibility of it happening at that moment, but when faced with the real decision making we really do have to be more honest with ourselves, and that is when we become a little more practical.

Oh I do have one more thing I would like!! An ocean view please!! Okay I just went into dreamland!! Fun to dream!!!

“Enjoy the Process,” Of:

Discovering what you would like in a home if you were to be building one from scratch!

Next we will be going inside to make some decisions on the floor plans!!

18 comments:

This is the style I would choose also. I love the examples you've shown, my favorite is the double gable with the ornamental window (which I would get rid of LOL) Love the color, the porch and I especially love the stone foundation and pillar supports. I actually prefer a detached garage, so that wouldn't bother me a bit! This is going to be a fun series Kathysue!

How funny that you like that style of home. That's not what I would have imagined for you. I agree, I love big porches. Our house is an updated version of a craftsman. Just stucco and not siding. Hugs, marty

We are leaning toward bungalow style, these days. When we built our home from scratch 9 years ago, we chose a 1.5 story all brick traditional style. Before that it was ranch (also built from scratch).

My first husband and I built a home in a more bungalow style almost 40 years ago. I have been fortunate to be involved in three, from scratch, builds. Quite the adventure...but I don't think we want to do this again. Will be looking for something move in ready for our next home.

I love bungalows and craftsman style houses. I don't know if it's my dream house but I sure wouldn't turn one down! I really don't know what my dream house is b/c I love so many different styles, which is probably why I don't want to build one. Too many decisions! Looking forward to this little dream journey of yours.

Would be interested in how you would add a modern edge to a craftsman. Since I'm not building a home now or looking to build, I don't know how interested I'll be in this series, to be honest. If you could add the universal appeal as you move through it, what could be applied to any existing home, then I'd be interested for sure. Your take on decor is always fun which is why I return to read your blog regularly.

My first townhome with my husband was craftsman and we thought of building in our neighborhood when I got pregnant...and the builder we met with specialized in these craftsman homes. He could make a 5,000 sq ft home look like a 2 bedroom cottage from the road...it was amazing.

Now that I am in Dallas if I could build from scratch I'd do a French looking limestone. They are popular here and I love the look. Fun series!

I did a double take when I saw the 3rd image, it looks so much like my grandfather's old house that we visited often as I was growing up. When he passed away one of my cousins ended up buying the house and putting her own touches on the interior. I could definitely see you enjoying your morning coffee on the front porch of one of these homes.

Wow, Kathysue, I've been working behind the scenes on my own 'pretend' dream home series, beginning with the house style!(mine is a two storey European Colonial) I guess you beat me to it... my fault for sitting on the idea for so long!Looking forward to following your series!~ Wendi ~

love the charm of a craftsman bungalow. have noticed in my travels, and always looking at houses, there are interesting subtle regional distinctions. here in chicago many are brick.......not as charming. love your examplesxodebra

I am also drawn to the craftsman bungalow. There are so many in my community and I love walking and visiting them all. There is one down the street that is shingled (my favorite) with a beautiful front porch. Apparently my home was a craftsman style home, but not a bungalow. Great post! ~Delores